Method and system for performing a function at a user device by combining category display areas

ABSTRACT

A user device and method comprises a screen display and a user interface. A display control module defines a first display area with a first boundary therearound and displaying a first category indicator for a first category therein. The display control module defines a second display area with a second boundary and displays a second category indicator for a second category therein. A gesture control module receives a movement signal from the user interface for moving the first display area relative to the second display area using a user interface. The display control module defines a third boundary around a third display area representing the first category and the second category when the first boundary and the second boundary touch or overlap and displays the first category indicator and the second category indicator within the third boundary. When the third display area is selected, a function may be performed.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally a television programmingdelivery system, and, more specifically, to using a user device toconveniently search for and playback content.

BACKGROUND

The statements in this section merely provide background informationrelated to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

Television content providers are continually increasing the amount oftelevision content provided. In addition to the actual televisionprogramming content, television providers also provide limitedinformation regarding the content such as a brief description, runningtime, parental ratings, and the like. The limited data may be metadatadelivered with the content or guide data and may be delivered directlyto the set top box. Content users increasingly desire furtherinformation relative to the content to help them cull through thenumerous content offerings. Determining content by entering search termsmay be inconvenient especially for children who would like to viewcontent. Spelling and other issues may inhibit children from fining theproper results.

Mobile devices such as touch screen mobile devices have also increasedin popularity. Such devices are typically connectable to the internet toobtain content from various sources. Mobile touch screen devices includethe iPad® by Apple and various Android® operating system devices. Themobile devices are capable of receiving Internet Protocol contentincluding streamed videos.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a system and method for using a userdevice for providing a convenient system and method for searchingcontent.

In one aspect of the disclosure, a method includes defining a firstdisplay area on a screen display of a user device with a first boundarytherearound, displaying a first category indicator for a first categorywithin the first boundary in screen display, defining a second displayarea on the screen display with a second boundary therearound,displaying a second category indicator for a second category within thesecond boundary on the screen display, generating a movement signal formoving the first display area relative to the second display area usinga user interface, when the first boundary and the second boundary touchor overlap on the screen display, defining a third boundary around athird display area representing the first category and the secondcategory, displaying the first category indicator and the secondcategory indicator within the third boundary, selecting the thirddisplay area using the user interface and performing a function inresponse to selecting.

In a further aspect of the disclosure, a user device includes a screendisplay, a user interface and a display control module defining a firstdisplay area on the screen display of with a first boundary therearoundand displaying a first category indicator for a first category withinthe first boundary in screen display. The display control module definesa second display area on the screen display with a second boundarytherearound and displays a second category indicator for a secondcategory within the second boundary on the screen display. A gesturecontrol module receives a movement signal from the user interface formoving the first display area relative to the second display area usinga user interface. The display control module defines a third boundaryaround a third display area representing the first category and thesecond category when the first boundary and the second boundary touch oroverlap on the screen display and displaying the first categoryindicator and the second category indicator within the third boundary.The gesture module recognizes a selection signal from the user interfacethat selected the third display area. A controller performs a functionin response to the selection signal.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the descriptionprovided herein. It should be understood that the description andspecific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and arenot intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and arenot intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

FIG. 1 is a block diagrammatic view of a communication system forcontent playback and delivery according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a high level block diagrammatic view of the head end of FIG.1.

FIG. 3 is a high level block diagrammatic view of the set top box ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a high level block diagrammatic view of a user device of FIG.1.

FIG. 5 is a screen display illustrating plurality of display areasincluding a combined display area.

FIG. 6A is a representation of movement of one display area relative toanother display area.

FIG. 6B is a screen display illustrating the intersection of two displayareas.

FIG. 6C is a combined display area suitable for selecting a contentlist.

FIG. 6D illustrates a combined display area being separated.

FIG. 7 is a screen display of a content list illustrating all contentavailable for streaming.

FIG. 8 is a screen display of filtered content available for streaming.

FIG. 9A is a screen display of an alarm interface having variousinterface areas.

FIG. 9B is an illustration of a screen display for forming a parentalcontrol profile.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a method for operating a system using combineddisplay areas.

FIG. 11 is a method for separating display areas into two separatecategories.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a method for performing a function at avideo-on-demand content delivery system.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a method for establishing a profile oractivating an alarm system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is notintended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. Forpurposes of clarity, the same reference numbers will be used in thedrawings to identify similar elements. As used herein, the term modulerefers to an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), anelectronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) and memorythat execute one or more software or firmware programs, a combinationallogic circuit, and/or other suitable components that provide thedescribed functionality. As used herein, the phrase at least one of A,B, and C should be construed to mean a logical (A or B or C), using anonexclusive logical OR. It should be understood that steps within amethod may be executed in different order without altering theprinciples of the present disclosure.

While the following disclosure is made with respect to example DIRECTV®broadcast services and systems, it should be understood that many otherdelivery systems are readily applicable to disclosed systems andmethods. Such systems include wireless terrestrial distribution systems,wired or cable distribution systems, cable television distributionsystems, Ultra High Frequency (UHF)/Very High Frequency (VHF) radiofrequency systems or other terrestrial broadcast systems (e.g.,Multichannel Multipoint Distribution System (MMDS), Local MultipointDistribution System (LMDS), etc.), Internet-based distribution systems,cellular distribution systems, power line broadcast systems, anypoint-to-point and/or multicast Internet Protocol (IP) delivery network,and fiber optic networks. Further, the different functions collectivelyallocated among a service provider and integrated receiver/decoders(IRDs) as described below can be reallocated as desired withoutdeparting from the intended scope of the present patent.

Further, while the following disclosure is made with respect to thedelivery of content (e.g., television (TV), movies, games, music videos,etc.), it should be understood that the systems and methods disclosedherein could also be used for delivery of any media content type, forexample, audio, music, data files, web pages, games, etc. Additionally,throughout this disclosure reference is made to programs, data,information, movies, assets, video data, etc., however, it will bereadily apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art that theseterms are substantially equivalent in reference to the example systemsand/or methods disclosed herein. As used herein, the term content, titleor program will be used to refer to a movie or television program name.

The system may also be used for controlling functions of varioussystems. As will be further described below, the controlling of alarmsystem functions may also be performed using the present disclosure.Setting up various profiles may also be performed by the presentdisclosure. For example, setting profiles based on age restrictions fortelevision and movie content may also be performed.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a satellite television broadcasting system 10is illustrated. The satellite television broadcast system 10 includes ahead end 12 that generates wireless signals 13 through an antenna 14which are received by an antenna 16 of a satellite 18. The wirelesssignals 13, for example, may be digital. The wireless signals 13 may bereferred to as an uplink signal. A transmitting antenna 20 generatesdownlink signals that are directed to various receiving systemsincluding stationary systems such as those in the home, as well as,mobile receiving systems. A set top box 22 is an example of a stationaryreceiving device or system that may be placed at different locationsrelative to the display or television. The set top box 22 is incommunication with an antenna 24. The antenna 24 receives downlinksignals 26 from the transmitting antenna 20 of the satellite 18.

The head end 12 may communicate various content, program guide data orother data through the satellite 18. For example, television channelsfrom a broadcast network or channels generated locally at the head end12 may be communicated through the satellite. The set top box 22 mayreceive the content and data. A plurality of set top boxes 22 may beprovided in a system. The plurality of set top boxes 22 may be locatedwithin a single building or household.

The set top box or boxes 22 each have a display 30 associated therewith.The display 30 may be a television or monitor used for displaying videoimages and providing an audio output.

A network 36 may be used to connect the head end 12 with various devicesincluding the set top box 22. The network 36 may be one type of networkor multiple types of networks. The network 36 may, for example, be apublic switch to telephone network, the internet, a mobile telephonenetwork or other type of network. The head end 12 may simultaneouslycommunicate streaming channel signals corresponding to all or a limitedset of the channels from the head end 12. The streaming channels arecommunicated through the head end 12.

The system 10 may also include a user device 40. The user device 40 maybe various types of devices including a mobile phone, a laptop, or atouch screen device, tablet device or computer. The user device 40 mayhave a screen display 42 used for displaying various types ofinformation as will be set forth further below. The user device 40 maybe referred to as a mobile device. The screen display 42 may be a touchscreen display.

A local area network (LAN) 44 may also be incorporated into the system.The local area network 44 may be in communication with the set top box22 and the user device 40. The local area network 44 may be a wirelesslocal area network.

The local area network 44 may also include a router 46. The router 46may allow the devices within the local area network 44 tointercommunicate. In this example, the local area network 44 may allowthe user device 40 and the set top box 22 to communicate. The router 46may also communicate with the network 36. The local area network 44 maybe used to communicate the streaming channels to the user device 40.

The user device 40 may also be in communication directly with a celltower 45 that communicates signals from the user device 40 to thenetwork 36. The user device 40 may thus bypass the router 46 whencommunicating with the network 36.

A data services center module 50 (data services center) may be incommunication with the head end 12. The data services center 50 may alsobe included in the head end 12 as is illustrated. The data servicescenter 50 is in communication with the network 36 to gather variousdata. As mentioned above, the network 36 may be the internet. The dataservices center 50 may gather data from various data sources 52 and actas a data server for distributing the data. The data sources 52 mayinclude data sources 52 for different types of data related to thecontent provided. Examples of data will be provided below. In general,the data may include actor information, pictures, posters, ratings data,sports scores, and the like. The data services module may havecategories for the various types of content available. For example,animation, comedy, fantasy, adventure, science fiction and laughs mayall be categories. These categories may be categories that are limitedby age and by content source or both. The may also be combinations ofdifferent content genres or sub genres as well. For example, animationmay only be limited to a handful of broadcaster content such as Disney®or Nickelodeon®.

Another source of data in communication with the data services center 50is a social media source 54. Various types of social media sources maybe used including websites. Blogs, Twitter®, and Facebook® are examplesof social media sources or websites. The data services center 50, aswill be described below, may aggregate data from the various sources.The data may be aggregated and indexed in a database with the head end12 or data services center 50 to correspond to a content identifier aswill be described below.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the head end 12 is illustrated in furtherdetail. The head end 12 may include various modules that areinterconnected. The interconnections have been eliminated in the figurefor simplicity. The head end 12 is illustrated as being within onefacility. However, various numbers of facilities with different numbersof modules may be used in an actual implementation.

The head end 12 may include an application system web service module110. The application system web service module 110 may be aconfiguration service that provides site definitions, host uniformresearch locators and application settings. The application system webservice module 110 may be used to call other web services such as theprogram guide web service 112. Interaction of the application system webservice 110 will be further described below.

The program guide web service module 112 provides a listing of contentto various devices including the set top box 22. The program guide webservice module 112 may provide details for a grid guide or specific datafor a specific channel. The program guide web service module 112 maydeliver the program data, channel data, ratings data or other forms ofdata to the user device through the network 36 illustrated in FIG. 1.

The program guide web service module 112 may also have categoriesassociated with each of the various types of content. The program guideweb service module 112 may provide a description and titles for eachvideo-on-demand content available. Each of the content may have a uniquecontent identifier associated therewith. Each content may have a posterfor display on the screen display.

The head end 12 may also include a search module 114. The search module114 may provide searching based upon various received search criteria.Searching may be performed by actor, title, or by category. Categoriesmay be generic genre's set forth by the content providers. Othercategories may be formed by the service provider in charge of the headend 12. As will be used below, a number of content categories, such asadventure, laughs, fantasy, Sci-Fi, animation, drama and the like may beset forth. Content such as video-on-demand content or over the aircontent may be classified into one or more of the content categories.Search results may be provided from the search module 114 by providing alist of content titles found during the search, a brief description ofthe content and various other types of data. In some forms merely acontent title may be returned. However, if further information isdesired a further request for more information may be performed.

The data services center 50 is also illustrated as being incorporatedwithin the head end 12. The data services center 50 may include aprocess module 116 for providing user device data to user devices withthe system. As mentioned above, the data services center 50 may be usedto aggregate various data from various sources that it may be providedto the user device upon request.

The head end 12 may also include an authentication web service module120. The authentication web service 120 may act as a lookup service toauthenticate a user device such as the set top box or the user device.The authentication web service module 120 may also be used as a setupservice that is used to setup the user device based on various userparameters. Such user parameters may include the type of device and theservices subscribed to. Some services may be selectively provided touser devices for a fee.

The head end 12 may also include a content module 124. The contentmodule 124 may store content therein. The content module 124 may storemovies or sports or other on-demand types of content. Some content maybe communicated on a pay-per-view basis. Pay-per-view is communicated ona linear channel at a predetermined time. The content module 124 mayalso be used to communicate live content to users from a content source126. The content source 126 may provide live or linear content. Linearcontent is content that is broadcasted at a prescheduled time accordingto a predetermined schedule. Nonlinear content, such as on demandcontent, is different than pay-per-view and is broadcasted upon requestand not according to a preset schedule.

A metadata module 128 may also provide data that is broadcasted with thecontent. The metadata module 128 may also provide data to the programguide web service 112. The metadata module 128 may also include closedcaptioning, ratings data, or other data that is broadcasted with thecontent or program guide.

A content delivery network 130 is used to broadcast content to the settop boxes. The content delivery network 130 may broadcast formattedsignals such as packetized signals. The formatted signals may bebroadcasted through the satellite 18 or may be communicated through thenetwork 36 illustrated in FIG. 1.

The head end 12 may also include a category determination module 132.The category determination module 132 may generate categories fromcontent available from an external source such as the TIMES MEDIASERVICE®. Of course, head end 12 may generate custom categories to beused. For example, if a system is intended for young people, categoriesmay include only content available from certain channels. The categorydetermination module 132 may also combine conventional categories intovarious categories for screen display within bounded areas of the screendisplay as will be described below. A list of categories to the userdevice through the network.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the set top box 22 is illustrated in furtherdetail. Although, a particular configuration of the set top box 22 isillustrated, it is merely representative of various electronic deviceswith an internal controller used as a content receiving device. Theantenna 24 may be one of a number of different types of antennas thatmay include one or more low noise blocks associated therewith. Theantenna 24 may be a single antenna used for satellite televisionreception. Of course, multiple antennas for different orbital slots maybe used. In a cable system no antenna may be used. Rather, a connectorto a cable may be used. The set top box 22, as described above, iscoupled to a display 30. The display 30 may have an output driver 310within the set top box 22.

A controller 314 may be a general processor such as a microprocessorthat cooperates with control software. The controller 314 may be used tocoordinate and control the various functions of the set top box 22.These functions may include a tuner 320, a demodulator 322, a decoder324 such as a forward error correction decoder and any buffer or otherfunctions.

The tuner 320 receives the signal or data from the individual channel.The tuner 320 may receive data from a satellite or a terrestrial sourcesuch as a cable. The tuner 320 may receive television programmingcontent, program guide data or other types of data. The tuner 320 may betuned to a particular channel under the control of the controller 314for recording or displaying a particular channel or content.

The demodulator 322 demodulates the signal or data to form a demodulatedsignal or data. The decoder 324 decodes the demodulated signal to formdecoded data or a decoded signal. The controller 314 may be similar tothat found in current DIRECTV® set top boxes which uses a chip basedmultifunctional controller. Although only one tuner 320, one demodulator322 and one decoder 324 are illustrated, multiple tuners, demodulatorsand decoders multiple tunes, demodulators and decoders may be providedwithin a single set top box 22.

The controller 314 may also include a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP)engine module 316 and a television application framework module 318. TheHTTP engine module 316 (HTTP engine) is used to receive commands throughthe local area network 44. The commands in this example are receivedfrom the user device 40. The HTTP engine module 316 receives thecommands that are acted upon by the controller 314. When the HTTPsignals are received at the HTTP engine 316 are remote control commands,the HTTP engine exposes the underlying commands from the signal whichare acted upon by the controller 314. The remote control commands may bethe same commands that are used by a remote control device that are usedto control the set top box 22. Other commands may be received at theHTTP engine 316 such as a tune command to tune a tune the tuner 320 to aparticular channel for viewing or recording or storing within the settop box 320.

The television (TV) application framework module 318 is used forlaunching various applications such as a widget that is viewable on thetelevision. The widgets may be displayed on top of the video on thedisplay 30. In this particular example, the television applicationframework module 318 may be used to communicate with the data servicescenter 50 illustrated in FIG. 1. The TV application framework module 318may request data for user accounts, program information, sports data, orthe like from the data services center 50. The TV application frameworkmodule 318 may receive the requested data and display the data in aparticular format or position on the display 20.

The controller 314 is in communication with a memory 330. The memory 330is illustrated as a single box. The memory 330 may actually be aplurality of different types of memory including the hard drive, a flashdrive and various other types of memory. The memory 330 may be othertypes of memory or sections of different types of memory. The memory 330may be nonvolatile memory or volatile memory.

The memory 330 may include storage for various operational datacollected during operation of the set top box 22. For example, thememory 330 may store various types of data including set top boxplaylist data that has the playlist for content saved within the memory330. Another type of data stored in the memory is the favorite settingsfor the set top box 22. Another type of data in the memory 330 mayinclude the channels subscription data, the blocked channels, adultchannels, rating limits set by the set top box 22, current set top boxlanguage, prioritizer data, TV resolution data, to do list data, theconditional access module identifier, time zone data, time of daydaylight savings, status data, aspect ratio data, viewing hours data,quick tune list and a zip code.

The memory 330 may also store the advanced program guide data. Thememory 330 may store program guide data that is received at the headend. The program guide data may include amounts of data including two ormore week's worth of program guide data. The program guide data may becommunicated to the set top box 22 in various manners including throughthe satellite 18 of FIG. 1. The program guide data may include a contentor program identifiers, and various data objects corresponding thereto.The content identifier may include series data. The first 4 digits may,for example, identify the series. The program guide may include programcharacteristics for each program content. The program characteristic mayinclude ratings, categories, actor, director, writer, contentidentifier, producer data and event type. The data may also includevarious other settings.

The memory 330 may also include a digital video recorder 332. Thedigital video recorder 332 may be a hard drive, flash drive, or othermemory device. A record of the content stored in the digital videorecorder is a playlist. The playlist may be stored in the DVR 332 orother parts of memory 330.

The set top box 22 may also include a user interface 350. The userinterface 350 may be various types of user interfaces such as akeyboard, push buttons, a touch screen, a voice activated interface orthe like. The user interface 350 may be used to select a channel, selectvarious information, change the volume, change the display appearance,or other functions. The user interface 350 may also be used forselecting recommendation and providing feedback for recommendations aswill be described below.

A network interface 352 may be included within the set top box 22 tocommunicate various data through the networks 36/44 described above. Thenetwork interface 352 may be a WiFi, WiMax, WiMax mobile, wireless,cellular, or other types of communication systems. The network interface352 may use various protocols for communication therethrough including,but not limited to, hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP).

The set top box 22 may also include a conditional access module 360. Theconditional access module 360 prevents unauthorized reception of thetelevision signals through the antenna 24. The conditional access module360 may use a cryptographic hash to authorize the use and display of thereceived signals.

The set top box 22 may also include a search module 362. The searchmodule 362 may be used to search the program guide data in response to aselection of a category or categories at a screen display. The contentcategories may be communicated to the set top box 22 using the localarea network. IP signals corresponding to the content categories may becommunicated to the set top box.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a block diagrammatic view of the user device 40illustrated in FIG. 1 is set forth. As mentioned above, the user device40 is a user device that includes a display or screen. The user device40 may be a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a mobile phone, or thelike. One example of such a device is an iPad® Apple Corp. The userdevice 40 includes a controller 410. The controller 410 may include acentral processing unit that is microprocessor-based. The controller 410performs various functions including controlling a screen display 42.The controller 410 is also in communication with a user interface 414.The user interface 414 may be one or a combination of different types ofuser interfaces depending upon the device. Many tablet computers includepushbuttons or touch screens or both. Keyboards, styluses, pointerdevices (such as a mouse) and other types of input devices may generateinput signals that are used as a user interface 414 to the user device.The user interface 414 is used to provide various inputs and responsesto elements displayed on the screen display 42. When the user interface414 is a touch screen or touch display, the screen display 42 and theuser interface 414 may be one in the same. More than one user interface414 may be incorporated into the user device 40.

The controller 410 may include a gesture recognition module 416. Agesture originates from a bodily motion associated with a touch screen.Gestures are interpreted by a mathematical algorithm within the gesturerecognition module 416. Various types of gestures may perform variousfunctions depending upon the screen display. In the present example, amedia player may be sized by “pinching” or “spreading” the media playerwindow. Touching, sliding or other gestures may be performed with thedifferent meanings based on the screens displayed and the context. Othergestures, such as a swipe gesture, also move or initiate a particularprocedure. Signals such as a movement signal may be generated at thegesture recognition module 416. Touching the touch pad in a particularlocation may activate a menu. In the present example, a combinationgesture such as a touch followed by an upward swipe motion on the screendisplay may communicate a tune signal to the set top box. The gesturerecognition module 416 mathematically recognizes a touching or aplurality of touchings of the touch screen and initiates a functionperformed by the controller 410 in conjunction with other modules withinthe user device 40.

A memory 420 is also in communication with the controller 410. Thememory 420 may include different types of memory that store differenttypes of data. The memory 420 may store operating software for thedevice, operating data, user settings, video, music, documents, andapplications. The applications may perform various functions, includingan application for communicating with a set top box 22 illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 3 and obtaining data from the set top box and data servicescenter. The application may allow the user device 40 to communicatedirectly with the data service center 50. A web interface 430 may beused for communicating with the data services center 50 and the set topbox 22. The web interface 430 may allow a connection to the network 36and network 44. The web interface 430 may allow communication through awireless network such as a local area network, a wide area network or amobile or cellular network.

In the present example, the controller 410 allows the user to customizethe screen display 42 to display various types of data in auser-controlled format. That is, the screen display 42 may be customizedto display the data desired by the user. The user device 40 may act asan extension of the set top box 22 and display 30 as illustrated in FIG.1 to display additional information about the programming shown throughthe set top box 22. The data is received through the web interface 430.

The user device 40 may also include a display control module 436. Thedisplay control module 436 may control the screen display associatedwith various menus. The display control module 436 may define aplurality of display areas within a plurality of respective boundaries.That is, a first display area on the screen display may correspond to afirst boundary. A second display area may correspond to an area within asecond boundary. Each boundary may be a regular shape such as a circle,square or hexagon. The boundary is a closed shape that defines a controlsurface that, when touched, enables the area or the shape within theboundary to be moved upon the sensing of a movement signal sensed by thedisplay area. A plurality of display areas may be simultaneouslydisplayed by the display control module 436. The display areas, asmentioned above, are defined by boundaries therearound. The displayareas may also include graphical representation such an image and/ortext for a title of category. Various categories, by way of example,include, but are not limited to adventure, laughs, animation, sciencefiction and fantasy. Should the system be used for other functions, suchas an alarm system, the various functions may correspond to differentsensors such as a front window sensor, motion sensors, front doorsensor, side door sensor, a left side window sensor, or groups ofsensors. Profiles may also be formed in a similar manner. Profiles fordifferent purposed such as parental control may be formed in a similarmanner. Parental control may allow different ratings of content as wellas allowing restriction to certain channels or content descriptions. Theuser interface module 414 and the display control module 436 may act inconjunction. Input from a touchscreen may be sensed by the userinterface, 414. Gestures on the user interface 414 may be recognized bythe gesture recognition module 416. The user interface 414 and display42 may be combined in one unit in the case of a touch screen display.

A function control module 440 may also be in communication with thecontroller 410. The function control module 440 may perform variousfunctions according to the function of the user device 40. The functioncontrol module 440 may perform the various functions based upon inputssensed at the user interface 414 in conjunction with the display controlmodule 436. Performing a search, arming an alarm system or setting aparental profile are all examples of functions that may be controlled bythe function control module 440.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a screen display 510 is illustrated having aplurality of display areas 512, 514, 516, 518, and 520 that correspondsto one or more categories or search filters. In this example, the systemis used for searching television content and filtering a large quantityof data according to search filter terms. In this example, the displayarea 512 corresponds to an adventure category. The display area 514corresponds to a laugh category. The display area 516 corresponds to afantasy area. The display area 518 corresponds to a science fictionarea. The display area 520 corresponds to an animation and drama displayarea 520. The display areas 512-518 are relatively small in area becauseeach corresponds to a single category. The display area 520 is increasedin area compared to display areas 512-518 because two categories arecombined. A user operating the device with a screen display 510 canselect one of the display areas for generating a list of content thatcorresponds to selected category by interaction with a user interface.

In the case of display area 520 both animation content and drama contentmay be displayed for selection on the screen display. More than twodifferent display areas may be combined to form the combined displayarea 520. By “dragging and dropping,” another display area may becombined with display area 520. It should also be noted that the displayarea 520 may be broken apart by dragging one side of the display area.This will be described further below.

Each of the display areas 512-520 may include corresponding indicatorsthat are denoted by the screen display reference number with theaddition of the letter A for a graphical indicator, a textual indicatorby adding reference letter B and a numerical indicator by addingreference letter C. The outside boundary of each display area is denotedby the addition of the letter D to the area reference numeral. Forexample, display area 512 has a category indicator 512A, a textualindicator 512B and numerical indicator 512C. The laughs display area 514includes category indicators 514A-514C. Display area 516 includescategory indicators 516A-516C. Display area 518 includes categoryindicator 518A-518C. In the case of the display area 520, indicators520A and 520A′ are graphical indicators, 520B and 520B′ are textualindicators and 520C and 520C′ are numerical indicators. Separate smallerbubbles or sub-areas, 530 and 532 may be included within the overallboundary 520D. By selecting the area within the subarea or bubble, thelarger display area encompassing both categories may be separated asdescribed and illustrated below.

The screen display 510 may also include a home button 540, a browsebutton 542 and a channels button 544. The home button 540 may take auser out of the searching function when selected. A browse button 542may bring up a plurality of programs or on-demand content that aregenerally recommended by or not searched for under the categoriesdescribed earlier. The channels button 544, when selected, may bring upa list of current channels that stream content to the user device.

Referring now to FIG. 6A, a first display area 610 corresponding to afirst filter term and second display area 612 corresponding to a secondfilter term are moved relative to each other as indicated by the arrow.The same convention relative to adding letters to the display areanumber is in FIGS. 6A-6B. In this example, the first display area 610 isselected by touching the first area within the boundary 610A. When thearea within the boundary 610D is selected, such as by selecting orperforming a stationary screen gesture within first display area 610,the entire area 610 including the boundary 610D may be moved in thedirection desired by the user and indicated by the arrow 616. The firstgraphical category indicator 610A that corresponds to a symbol, thetextual category indicator 610B and the numerical category indicator610C are moved toward the second display area 612. The second graphicalcategory indicator 612A that corresponds to a symbol, the textualcategory indicator 612B and the numerical category indicator 612C areincluded in the second display area 612.

Referring now to FIG. 6B, when the boundaries 610D and 612D intersect,touch or overlap such as at an intersection point 618, the first displayarea and the second display area may be combined to form a third displayarea 620 as illustrated in FIG. 6C. Sub-area 622 around the graphicalindicator 610A and sub-area 624 around graphical indicator 612A may begenerated to allow the area display 620 to be separated as illustratedin FIG. 6D. The textual indicators and numerical indicators may bedisplayed within or outside the sub-areas 622, 624. By tapping, doubletapping or performing some other gesture at the third display area 620,a function associated with the gesture may be performed. In thisexample, a search may be performed of available content in the animationand comedy categories, since the display area 620 includes both. Atapping movement indicated by spot 626 within third display area 620 maybe sensed by the gesture module of FIG. 4.

Referring now to FIG. 6D, when the sub-area 622 corresponding to thegraphical category indicator 612A or the textual category indicator 622is selected or touched as indicated by area 630, the display areas maybe separated from third display area into the first display area 610 andsecond display area 612 as illustrated in FIG. 6A. By forming thedesired gesture as sensed by the gesture recognition module the displayareas may be separated.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a screen display 710 of the user device 40 isillustrated when a plurality of content is selected. In this example allcontent corresponding to all of the categories is displayed. In thisexample Rio 2, The Lego Movie, Frozen, Chimpanzee, Stephen Universe,Luna, Madagascar, Mr. Peabody and Sherman, Planes and Mirror Mirror areall displayed as posters 712. By performing a gesture such as singleclicking, double-clicking or a sliding movement within the boundaries ofposter 712 or the adjacent text the content may be selected. Theselection of the content may communicate a signal to the head end sothat the content is streamed to the user device 40. The content may bestreamed through the local area network or directly through the externalnetwork such as the cellular network system.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a screen display 810 is illustrated having agraphical category indicator 812 corresponding to fantasy and graphicalcategory indicator corresponding 814 corresponding to laughs. In thisexample a combined display area similar to that illustrated in FIG. 5 asreference numeral 520 may used to generate the screen display 810 ofFIG. 8. Only content in these categories may be displayed. In thisexample, Dennis the Menace, Doogal, Dragonball Z Kai, Epic, Everyone'sHero, Firehouse Dog, First Kid, Frozen, Getting Even With Dad, andHannah Montana are illustrated as posters 820. As mentioned above, oneof the posters 820 may be selected using a gesture and streamed to theuser device. The content posters displayed in FIG. 8 may have beenfiltered by parental controls prior to displaying to form a parentalcontrol filtered content list.

Referring now to FIG. 9A, a screen display 910 displayed on the display42 of the user device 40 is illustrated for an alternate examplecorresponding to alarm system. In this example a plurality of displayareas 912. Each of display areas 912, in this case, corresponds to asingle sensor or group of sensors. Display area 914 corresponds to auser defined group that includes both the right side window sensorsillustrated in a sub-area 920 and a rear door sensor illustrated in asub-area 922. The display area 914 was formed by combining two displayareas. By selecting the display area 914 the function performed may beenabling or disabling the various sensors set forth therein. Byindividually selecting the display areas 912, the front window sensors,side door sensors, motion sensors, left side window sensors may all beenabled individually. By selecting the display area 914 and therein, theright side window sensors and the rear door sensor may be enabledsimultaneously. The selection and deselection of various sensors maytake place using the screen display 914.

Referring to FIG. 9B, a screen display 950 displayed on the display 42of the user device 40 is illustrated for forming a profile. The peoplein the household may each have a separated display area. In thisexample, the display areas that do not have profiles assigned theretoare the display area corresponding to Kevin at 952 and Ben at 954. TheCharlie profile display area 956 has several TV ratings and movieratings assigned thereto. In this example, PG13 movie sub-area 960, TV Gsub-area 962, TV PG sub-area 964 and Y TV sub-area 966 are all allowedby the Charlie profile display area 956. Individual ratings areillustrated by the display area 958. In this example the display areascorresponding to the ratings are “suggestive dialog”, violence, TV 14, Rmovies, PG movies, Y TV, and NC17 movies, adult movies, and languagecontent. Of course, other ratings are possible. To enable a profile forthe particular rating the user generates a movement signal at the userinterface and intersects the person display area such 952, 954 or 956with the rating display area 958. Ratings may be added or subtracted tothe person display areas using the process set forth in FIGS. 6A to 6B.The process may be modified so that when one sub-area is included in apersonal profile, the profile does not disappear from the screen. Thisallows the same rating to be used in various profiles.

Referring now to FIG. 10, a method for operating a user device and thesystem is set forth. In step 1010 an application is installed on theuser device. This may be obtained from an application store or the like.Authentication using passwords and user identifiers may be performedwhen installing and using the application.

In step 1012 parental controls or security controls may be established.A password or other user identifier may be entered in this step.Further, a parental control setting may be used to set the variouslevels of parental control for the system. In step 1014 a first displayarea of a screen display is defined within the display control module436 of FIG. 4. The first display area may be defined by a firstboundary. The first boundary may be a physical geometric boundary ormaybe defined by a plurality of pixels. A closed geometric shape such asa polygon or circle may define the first boundary. In step 1016 a firstcategory indicator may also be included in the first display areadefined within the first boundary. As mentioned above a textual orgraphical indicator may be displayed within the first display area.

A second display area is defined in step 1018. The second display areais defined on the screen display outside of the first display area. Thesecond display area, as in the case of the first display area, may bedefined by a geometric closed shape such as a circle or a polygon.Irregular shapes may also be used for both the first and second displayarea.

In step 1020 a second category indicator may be displayed in the seconddisplay area. The second category indicator may be graphical indicator,textual indicator, or both. In step 1022 a movement signal for movingthe first display are relative to the second display area may bereceived by the gesture recognition module 416 of FIG. 4. The gesturemay have to be performed in a certain manner corresponding to a certainmovement on the screen display. For example, selecting a first displayare for a predetermined amount of time then providing a movement signalfor a particular direction such as toward the second display area may beperformed. Of course, other types of movement may be performed to obtaina certain result. In step 1024 the movement of the first display arearelative to the second display area may be performed. In this manner,the first boundary and the second boundary may be monitored to determineif they intersect or overlap. If the first boundary and the secondboundary do not overlap or touch, step 1026 performs no function.

Referring back to step 1024, when the boundaries touch or overlap step1030 is performed, the third boundary replaces the first boundary andthe second boundary. The third boundary defines a third display area instep 1030. In step 1032, a first category indicator and a secondcategory indicator are displayed within the third boundary area. Thefirst category indicators correspond to the category indicators for thefirst display area and the second display area. In step 1034 the thirddisplay area is selected. The third display area may be selected usingvarious gestures including selecting the third display area by placing afinger therein for a predetermined period. Single tapping or doubletapping may also perform the selected function. In step 1036 a functionis performed in response to selecting the area. As will be furtherdescribed below, various types of functions depending on the system maybe performed. Security system functions, profile functions and contentselection functions may all be performed using the teaching set forthabove.

Referring to FIG. 11, a method for separating a combined category areainto a single category area is set forth. In step 1110 a first categoryindicator that is to be removed from the combined display area isselected. From the more than one indicators. By selecting the areadirectly adjacent to or above the first category indicator the displaycontrol module and the gesture recognition module may recognize apredetermined gesture. In step 1112, a movement signal may be receivedby moving the first category indicator relative to a second categoryindicator. Again, this is recognized by the user device at the gesturerecognition module of FIG. 4. In step 1114 when the distance between thefirst category indicator and the second category indicator is greaterthan a predetermined distance step 1116 is performed. When the distanceis not greater than a predetermined distance in 1114, step 1115maintains the third display area which is a combination of twocategories.

Referring back to step 1114, when the distance is greater than apredetermined distance, step 1116 forms a first area defined by a firstboundary. A first category indicator is displayed within the firstboundary in step 1118. In step 1120, a second area is defined by asecond boundary. In step 1122 the second indicator is displayed withinthe second boundary. In this manner two separate display areas areformed from a combined display area. The combined display area may havebeen formed using the methods set forth in FIG. 10.

Referring now to FIG. 12, a method for performing a function in acontent system is set forth. In this example, a video-on-demand contentdelivery system is set forth. In step 1210 a third area within a thirdboundary of a display area such as that described in FIG. 10 isselected. In step 1212 a first category and a second category identifierthat is displayed within the third boundary is communicated to a searchmodule through a network. The first category and the second categoryidentifier maybe communicated through a local area network or directlythrough a cellular network and then through an internet or wide areanetwork. In step 1214 as list of content available for the firstcategory and the second category is generated at the search module. Asmentioned above, the search module may be in the head end. It is alsopossible for the search module to be located at the or within set topbox. In step 1216, the content list is communicated to the user device.Parental controls may also be established within the user device andthus the content list may be filtered in step 1218. This is an optionalstep. In step 1220, which may have been filtered, is displayed at theuser device. The content list may include content identifiers, metadataassociated with content and content titles. Of course some or all of thedata may be displayed. For example, at minimum, content titles may becommunicated to the user device for the content list. In step 1222, thecontent list may be selected using a user interface such as the touchscreen. In step 1224, a selection signal corresponding to the contentselection is communicated to the head end. In step 1226, the contentcorresponding to the content selection is communicated to the userdevice. In step 1228, the content may be stored and displayed on ascreen display within the user device.

Referring now to FIG. 13 other functions may also be performed. In thisexample, step 1310 selects the third display area within the thirdboundary 956 of FIG. 9B. As mentioned above, the selection of the thirdboundary may be used to establish a profile in step 1312. The profilemay be used for establishing a parental control profile or an alarmsystem profile. Profiles may also be generated for various types ofsystems.

In step 1314 and alarm system may be activated by selecting the thirdarea within the third boundary of FIG. 9A. For example, a third boundarymay be formed by selecting various sensors and combining the displayareas associated with the sensors into a third boundary. By tapping orperforming some other type of gesture such as double tapping or sliding,the alarm system may be activated for those predetermined areas.

Those skilled in the art can now appreciate from the foregoingdescription that the broad teachings of the disclosure can beimplemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while this disclosureincludes particular examples, the true scope of the disclosure shouldnot be so limited since other modifications will become apparent to theskilled practitioner upon a study of the drawings, the specification andthe following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: defining a first displayarea on a screen display of a user device with a first boundarytherearound; displaying a first category indicator for a first categorywithin the first boundary in screen display; defining a second displayarea on the screen display with a second boundary therearound;displaying a second category indicator for a second category within thesecond boundary on the screen display; generating a movement signal formoving the first display area relative to the second display area usinga user interface; when the first boundary and the second boundary touchor overlap on the screen display, defining a third boundary around athird display area representing the first category and the secondcategory; displaying the first category indicator and the secondcategory indicator within the third boundary; selecting the thirddisplay area using the user interface; and performing a function inresponse to selecting.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein defining thesecond display area on the screen display non-overlapping with the firstdisplay area.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein defining the firstdisplay area on the screen display with the first boundary comprisesdefining the first display area on a touch screen display with the firstboundary.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein displaying the first categoryindicator comprises displaying a first graphical representation for thefirst category and wherein displaying the second category indicatorcomprises displaying a second graphical representation of the secondcategory.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein generating movement signalcomprises generating a movement signal in response to a screen gesture.6. The method of claim 1 wherein generating the movement signalcomprises generating a screen gesture within the first display area. 7.The method of claim 1 wherein generating the movement signal comprisesgenerating the movement signal in response to a pointer.
 8. The methodof claim 1 wherein defining a third boundary comprises generating thethird boundary around an area greater than the first display area or thesecond display area.
 9. The method of claim 1 wherein the first categorycomprises a first search filter and the second category defines a secondsearch filter.
 10. The method of claim 9 wherein performing the functioncomprises performing searching for program content corresponding to thefirst search filter and the second search filter.
 11. The method ofclaim 10 wherein searching for program content comprises communicatingthe first search filter and the second search filter to search module ofa head end.
 12. The method of claim 11 wherein performing searchingcomprises performing the search for video-on-demand content.
 13. Themethod of claim 10 further comprising displaying a content list at theuser device after searching.
 14. The method of claim 13 furthercomprising filtering the content list based on parental controls.
 15. Auser device system comprising: a screen display; a user interface adisplay control module defining a first display area on the screendisplay of with a first boundary therearound and displaying a firstcategory indicator for a first category within the first boundary inscreen display; said display control module defining a second displayarea on the screen display with a second boundary therearound anddisplaying a second category indicator for a second category within thesecond boundary on the screen display; a gesture control modulereceiving a movement signal from the user interface for moving the firstdisplay area relative to the second display area using a user interface;said display control module defining a third boundary around a thirddisplay area representing the first category and the second categorywhen the first boundary and the second boundary touch or overlap on thescreen display and displaying the first category indicator and thesecond category indicator within the third boundary; said gesture modulerecognizing a selection signal from the user interface that selected thethird display area; and a controller performing a function in responseto the selection signal.
 16. The system of claim 15 wherein the seconddisplay area and the first display area are non-overlapping.
 17. Thesystem of claim 15 wherein the user interface and the screen display aredisposed in a touch screen display.
 18. The system of claim 15 whereinthe first category comprises a first graphical representation for thefirst category and wherein the second category indicator comprisesdisplaying a second graphical representation of the second category. 19.The system of claim 15 wherein the movement signal comprises a screengesture.
 20. The system of claim 15 wherein the movement signal a screengesture within the first display area.
 21. The system of claim 15wherein the movement signal comprises a pointer signal.
 22. The systemof claim 15 wherein the third display area is greater than the firstdisplay area or the second display area.
 23. The system of claim 15wherein the first category comprises a first search filter and thesecond category defines a second search filter.
 24. The system of claim23 wherein the function comprises searching for program contentcorresponding to the first search filter and the second search filter.25. The system of claim 23 further comprising a network interfacecommunicating the first search filter and the second search filter tosearch module of a head end.
 26. The system of claim 25 wherein the headend searches for video-on-demand content in response to the first searchfilter and the second search filter and communicates a content list tothe user device.
 27. The system of claim 26 wherein the screen displaydisplays the content list.
 28. The system of claim 27 wherein thecontent lit comprises a parental control filtered content list.